Man wanted in New York homicide arrested in Bradley County

Man wanted in New York homicide arrested in Bradley County

A man wanted in connection with a homicide in Buffalo, N.Y., was arrested in Bradley County and is awaiting extradition in the Bradley County Jail.

Wyatt Hayes, 34, was arrested and charged with criminal impersonation after he gave a false name to Tennessee Drug Task Force officers during a traffic stop on Interstate 75 South on Oct. 24, according to a news release.

During the traffic stop questioning, officers noticed suspicious behavior from the occupants of the car and inconsistencies in their stories, according to Steve Lawson, director of the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force. Hayes initially gave a false name, but later recanted, and told officers he believed there was a warrant for his arrest in New York.

The Buffalo Police Department later contacted the Bradley County Sheriff's Department about Hayes, Lawson said.

Bob Gault, spokesman for the Bradley County Sheriff's Department, said the criminal impersonation charge against Hayes was dismissed today, but he will be held in the Bradley County Jail on a warrant for murder in the second degree until he can be extradited to New York.

Lawson said he appreciated the extra steps officers took during the initial traffic stop.

"They took somebody off the streets that needed to be off," he said. "They took the extra mile in checking somebody out."